This research reports the successful asymmetric synthesis of both a 9-hydroxy-5′-methoxy-1,4-benzodioxane
framework and a highly functionalised benzofuran scaffold. Both synthetically desirable
structures are the result of a Lewis acid catalysed addition of an aryl nucleophile
to 1,4-benzodioxane hemiacetals and offer a route towards the synthesis of a number
of naturally occurring neolignans.
Key words
lignin - 1,4-benzodioxane - benzofuran - asymmetric synthesis - hemiacetal - oxonium
- Mitsunobu reaction
